Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Motor

ABSTRACT

A motor comprising: (a) a stator having a plurality of ferrous cores surrounded by a plurality of windings; (b) a pair of rotors positioned on opposing sides of the stator, each rotor including a ring gear; and (c) a drive shaft extending through a cutout of the stator, the drive shaft having a pinion gear positioned near an end of the drive shaft in communication with the ring gears of the rotors; wherein the rotors rotate in opposing directions so that the ring gears translate a movement of the rotors to the drive shaft through the pinion gear to rotate the drive shaft in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction of rotation of the rotors.

FIELD

The present teachings generally relate to a motor, and moreparticularly, to an axial flux motor having an orthogonally drivenshaft.

BACKGROUND

Motors are frequently used in a variety of industries, including theautomotive, marine, and aviation industries. While historically theaforementioned industries would use gasoline motors in their vehicles,recent trends have shown a significant increase in electric motors.Electric motors generally include one or more rotors and a stator,whereby the one or more rotors may move relative to the stator based onelectrical excitation of the stator. The stator may create a magneticfield between the rotor and the stator that interacts and/or moves theone or more rotors. Electric motors typically require zero contactbetween a driveshaft connected to the motor and the motor itself,resulting in generally a simpler design with fewer moving parts, and amotor that does not generate heat and/or friction like a fuel-poweredmotor. Additionally, electric motors may be more environmentallyfriendly when compared to gasoline motors due to the electric motors notrequiring burning of a fuel. Moreover, electric motors may also provideincreased power and/or improved packaging over fuel-powered motors, suchas gasoline motors, diesel motors, propane motors, compressed naturalgas (CNG) motors, or a combination thereof.

While electric motors have significantly increased in the automotive andmarine industries in recent years, the current designs of electricmotors may be difficult to incorporate into current packagingrequirements for certain vehicles, may present disadvantages such asdrag, or both. For example, many sailboats have maintained an overalldesign structure for decades. Because the sailboat designs may not havecontemplated electric motors initially, retrofitting of the sailboatsmay be required, which may present disadvantages, such as inefficientpositioning of the motor, structural degradation to the hull due tomodifications, or both. As a result, current sailboat motors may bepositioned around one or more portions of the hull, a cockpit within thehull, a cabin of the sailboat, or a combination thereof. The undesirablepackaging of the motor may often result in an inefficient transfer ofmovement from the motor to one or more rudders of the sailboat, therebyrequiring more energy output from the motor and/or increasing strain onthe motor. Additionally, the undesirable packaging of the motor mayresult in inefficient use of space due to limited mounting locations ofthe motor.

It would be attractive to have an electric motor that may be easilypackaged within the constraints of a sailboat hull, hull appendage, orboth. What it needed is an electric motor having a smaller footprint. Itwould be attractive to have an electric motor with increased efficiencyand power. What is needed is an axial flux motor that may be mounted atany desired angle relative to a driveshaft, propeller of a boat, or bothto improve overall performance and movement of the motor. It would beattractive to have a tunable electric motor based on a desired vehicle.What is needed is an electric motor having adjustable ring gear sizes toadjust torque of the motor, a rotational speed of the motor, or both.

SUMMARY

The present teachings meet one or more of the present needs by providinga motor comprising: (a) a stator having a plurality of ferrous coressurrounded by a plurality of windings; (b) a pair of rotors positionedon opposing sides of the stator, each rotor including a ring gear; and(c) a drive shaft extending through a cutout of the stator, the driveshaft having a pinion gear positioned near an end of the drive shaft incommunication with the ring gears of the rotors; wherein the rotorsrotate in opposing directions so that the ring gears translate amovement of the rotors to the drive shaft through the pinion gear torotate the drive shaft in a direction substantially orthogonal to adirection of rotation of the rotors.

The present teachings meet one or more of the present needs by providinga motor, wherein: the plurality of ferrous cores are positioned along aperiphery of the stator and the plurality of windings determine apolarity of each ferrous core the plurality of windings is wound upon;the plurality of windings is a continuous line that wraps around all ofthe plurality of ferrous cores; the pair of rotors each include aplurality of magnets so that, when electricity flows through theplurality of windings, an axial flux extending between the pair ofrotors and the stator initiates rotation of the pair of rotors; the ringgears are positioned within a recess of each of the rotors and surroundan aperture of the rotor; the drive shaft extends through a cutout ofthe stator so that the pinion gear is positioned within an aperture ofthe stator to communicate with the ring gears of the rotors; the driveshaft is secured within the cutout by a bearing block, and the driveshaft rotates within the bearing block by a plurality of bearingssecured around the drive shaft and secured by a plurality of lockingcollars; the stator and the pair of rotors are housed within a casing,and the drive shaft extends through a hole of the casing to communicatewith the stator and the pair of rotors; a seal surrounds the drive shaftextending through the casing to prevent moisture, debris, or both fromentering the casing, oil from exiting the casing, or a combinationthereof.; the pair of rotors rotate about a motor shaft extendingthrough apertures of the pair of rotors and the stator; the pair ofrotors rotate about the motor shaft via a plurality of bearings spacedapart by one or more washers, a spacer, or both; the casing isdisk-shaped; the motor is a boat motor; the ring gears of the rotorssandwich the pinion gear of the drive shaft; the motor is configured tofully operate when fully submerged in water; the stator remainsstationary during operation of the motor; the ring gears extend into theaperture of the stator to engage the pinion gear so that the pair ofrotors and the stator are substantially coaxial; the magnets of eachrotor alternate in polarity; the stator is secured to a casing ring ofthe casing by a plurality of fasteners extending through through-holesof the casing ring into the stator; the polarity of the plurality ofwindings around each core is dictated by winding each of the pluralityof windings in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction; the motor isa single-phase motor or a 3-phase motor; or a combination thereof.

The present teachings meet one or more of the present needs byproviding: an electric motor that may be easily packaged within theconstraints of a sailboat hull, hull appendage, or both; an electricmotor having a smaller footprint; an electric motor with increasedefficiency and power; an axial flux motor that may be mounted at anydesired angle relative to a driveshaft, propeller of a boat, or both toimprove overall performance and movement of the motor; a tunableelectric motor based on a desired vehicle; an electric motor havingadjustable ring gear sizes to adjust torque of the motor, a rotationalspeed of the motor, or both; or a combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG.1 is a perspective view of a motor in accordance with the presentteachings.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a motor in accordance with the presentteachings.

FIG. 3 is cross-section 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is cross-section 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a motor in accordance with the presentteachings.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a rotor.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a stator connected to a drive shaft.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary arrangement of a plurality of rotors relative toa stator of a motor in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary arrangement of a plurality of rotors relative toa stator of a motor in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary coil winding arrangement of stator of a motor inaccordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a motor having dual rotors and dualstators in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 12A is a cross-section of a motor having dual rotors and dualstators in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 12B is a cross-section of a motor having opposing drive shafts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended toacquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles,and its practical application. Those skilled in the art may adapt andapply the teachings in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to therequirements of a particular use. Accordingly, the specific embodimentsof the present teachings as set forth are not intended as beingexhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachingsshould, therefore, be determined not with reference to the abovedescription, but should instead be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references,including patent applications and publications, are incorporated byreference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as willbe gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporatedby reference into this written description.

The present teachings generally relate to a motor. The motor mayfunction to power one or more vehicles, one or more pieces of equipment,or both. The motor may function to convert electrical energy intomechanical energy to propel a vehicle, such as an automotive vehicle,boat, aircraft, or a combination thereof. It is contemplated that themotor may be configured for any industry, such as automotive, marine,aerospace, agriculture (e.g., tractors), household appliance, otherindustries, or a combination thereof. The motor may function to generatetorque. The motor may be an electric motor. As such, it is contemplatedthat the motor may be free of any combustion chamber and may not requireany fuel to generate energy within the motor. The motor may be a DCmotor. The motor may be an AC motor. The motor may be a brush motor. Themotor may be a brushless motor. The motor may be a series-wound motor, ashunt wound motor, a compound wound motor, a permanent magnet motor, ora combination thereof. The motor may be controlled by one or morecontrol units. For example, a motor control unit (MCU) may power onand/or power off the motor, determine a power output and/or movement ofthe motor, or a combination thereof.

The motor may be configured to transfer a generated torque to one ormore portions of one or more pieces of equipment. The motor may beconfigured to generate torque that may translate to a movement of one ormore vehicles. The one or more vehicles may be a plane, boat, automotivevehicle, or a combination thereof. The motor may be environmentallyfriendly. For example, the motor may run on electricity free of anysecondary fuels (e.g., fossil fuels such as conventional gasoline). Themotor may be a 3-phase motor or may be a single-phase motor. The motormay translate a generated torque in one or more desired directions. Forexample, the motor may generate a torque on a drive shaft of the motorto rotate the drive shaft. The drive shaft may extend substantiallycoaxial with an axis of rotation of one or more rotors of the motor. Thedrive shaft may extend along an axis other than coaxial with an axis ofrotation of the motor. For example, the motor may generate a torquealong a drive shaft that is substantially orthogonal (i.e.,substantially perpendicular) to an axis of rotation of one or morerotors of the motor.

The motor may include a casing. The casing may function to protect themotor from outside contamination. The casing may function to preventmoisture, debris, or both from entering the casing and contacting one ormore components of the motor. The casing may be hermetically sealed. Thecasing may be shaped substantially similar to a shape of one or morerotors of the motor, a stator of the motor, or both. The casing may bewaterproof, water-resistant, or both. The casing may be monolithically(i.e., integrally) formed to encompass the motor. The casing may includeone or more openings, one or more doors, one or more access panels, or acombination thereof. As such, it is contemplated that an operator and/ormechanic of the motor may access components of the motor via an opening,door, access panel, or a combination thereof. The casing maysubstantially enclose all or a portion of the motor. For example, thecasing may enclose substantially all of the inner workings of the motorexcept for a drive shaft that may extend through the casing to translatea generated torque to one or more outside items. The casing may be anydesired size and shape. The casing may be substantially cubicle,disc-shaped, box-shaped, any other shape, or a combination thereof.

The casing may include a case ring. The case ring may function to form ahousing of the casing. The case ring may function to protect the motorfrom outside contamination, debris, moisture, or a combination thereof.The case ring may substantially encompass the motor. The case ring mayextend substantially around an outer periphery of the motor. Forexample, the case ring may extend around the entire outer periphery ofthe motor and include one or more openings to receive one or moreportions of the motor. The case ring may be structurally rigid. The casering may be any desired size and shape. The case ring may be made fromany desired material. However, it is contemplated that the case ring maybe moisture-resistant, corrosion-resistant, or both. For example, thecase ring may be protected by one or more coatings to preventdegradation of the case ring from contact with moisture, debris, orboth.

The case ring may include one or more through-holes. The through-holesmay function to receive one or more fasteners. The fasteners may extendthrough the through-holes of the case ring to secure one or morecomponents to the case ring. For example, a plurality of fasteners mayextend through the through-holes to secure a stator of the motor withinthe confines of the case ring. The through-holes may be any desired sizeand/or shape. The through-holes may be shaped to receive any desiredfastener. The fasteners may be a bolt, screw, nail, stud, setscrew, pin,key, or a combination thereof. The fasteners may be threaded or free ofthreading.

The case ring may include a drive shaft hole. The drive shaft hole mayfunction to receive the drive shaft of the motor so that the drive shaftmay extend out of the casing. The drive shaft hole may be shapedsubstantially similar to an outer surface of the drive shaft. The driveshaft hole may be positioned anywhere along the case ring. The driveshaft hole may extend through a thickness of the case ring. The driveshaft hole may include one or more chamfered edges, one or more roundededges, or both. The drive shaft hole may be tapered or may be free oftapering. The drive shaft hole may include one or more abrasive surfacesor may have substantially smooth surfaces. For example, an inner surfaceof the drive shaft hole may be substantially smooth to promote movementof the drive shaft within the drive shaft hole and prevent locking ofthe drive shaft when contacting the case ring.

A seal may be positioned within the drive shaft hole. The seal mayfunction to prevent moisture, debris, or both from entering the casingthrough the drive shaft hole. The seal may function to prevent alubricant from exiting the casing. For example, the drive shaft mayinclude a lubricant disposed on one or more surfaces to prevent frictionduring movement of the drive shaft. The seal may prevent the lubricantfrom exiting the drive shaft hole and maintain a substantiallyfrictionless movement of the drive shaft within the casing. The seal maybe shaped to substantially or entirely fill a gap between the driveshaft and the drive shaft hole. The seal may be compressible to create apress-fit condition with the drive shaft, the drive shaft hole, or both.The seal may be integrally formed with the case ring. The seal may besecured to the case ring. The seal may be an O-ring, a foamablematerial, an adhesive material, a flexible material, or a combinationthereof. The seal may be a substantially rigid material mounted to thecasing around the drive shaft hole.

One or more case disks may be secured to the case ring. The case disksmay function to connect to the case ring and form the casing. The casedisks may function as access panels to one or more components of themotor. The case disks may be secured to peripheral edges of the casering. The case disks may form a seal with the case disks to preventmoisture, debris, or both from entering the casing. If a gap is presentbetween the case disks and the case ring upon assembly, a sealant may bedisposed between the case disk and the case rings. The sealant may be aliquid sealant, adhesive, foamable material, compressible material, or acombination thereof. The case disks may be coextensive with the casering. The case disks may extend beyond a terminal edge of the case ring.The case disks may be recessed from a terminal edge of the case ring.The case disks may include a flange. The case disks may include one ormore arcuate portions, one or more linear segments, one or more flatsurfaces, one or more undulating surfaces, one or more lips, one or morebends, or a combination thereof. The case disks may include latches,fingers, clasps, hooks, arms, or a combination thereof to secure thecase disks to the case ring. The case disks may be secured to the casering via one or more fasteners, one or more adhesives, one or moresealants, or a combination thereof. For example, the case disks may besecured to a peripheral edge of the case ring by a plurality offasteners. The plurality of fasteners may be received by mounting holesin the case disk.

The mounting holes may function to receive one or more fasteners. Themounting holes may secure the fasteners so that the case disks aresecured to the case ring. The mounting holes may be positioned anywherealong the case disk. The mounting holes may be positioned along one ormore peripheral edges of the case ring. The mounting holes may be a borehole along a surface of the case ring. The mounting holes may extendthrough a thickness of the case ring or may only extend through aportion of a thickness of the case ring. The mounting holes may be aplurality of mounting holes around a periphery of the case ring. Themounting holes may include a threading that mates to a threading of oneor more fasteners being received by the mounting holes.

The motor may include a stator. The stator may function to move a driveshaft of the motor. The stator may function to move one or more rotors.The stator may include one or more magnets, one or more windings, one ormore cores, or a combination thereof. The stator may assist in movingthe drive shaft of the motor or may be free of direct communication withthe drive shaft. The stator may indirectly communicate with the driveshaft. For example, the stator may move one or more rotors and the oneor more rotors may directly communicate with the drive shaft to move thedrive shaft. The stator may be free of direct contact with one or morerotors, a drive shaft, or both. The rotor may be mounted to the housing.The rotor may be adjacent to one or more rotors. For example, a pair ofrotors may be positioned near opposing surfaces of the stator so thatthe rotors substantially “sandwich” the stator. The rotors and thestator may communicate in a contactless manner. Contactless manner maymean that the stator may move the rotors without physically touching therotors. The stator may remain substantially stationary during operationof the motor.

The stator may be substantially rigid. The stator may be free ofdeflection or displacement during operation of the motor. The stator maybe structurally solid. For example, the stator may be substantiallyformed of a solid piece of material. The stator may be made from one ormore polymers, one or more metals, or a combination thereof. It iscontemplated that the stator may be made from one or more metals, suchas aluminum, iron, steel, copper, tungsten, zinc, or a combinationthereof. Alternatively, or additionally, the stator may be made from oneor more polymers, one or more composite materials, one or more resins,or a combination thereof. The stator may be any desired size and shape.The stator may be shaped substantially similar to the casing, to the oneor more stators, or both. For example, the stator may be substantiallydisk-shaped so that the stator may be housed within a substantiallydisk-shaped casing. The stator may include one or more hollow portions,one or more holes, one or more cutouts, or a combination thereof.

The stator may include an aperture. The aperture may function to receiveone or more components of the motor. The aperture may provide asubstantially open space to allow one or more components of the motor tofreely move. For example, a portion of the drive shaft may be positionedwithin the aperture to communicate with one or more rotors so that thedrive shaft may rotate within the aperture. The aperture may receive aportion of a motor shaft to align the stator with one or more rotors.The aperture may receive a portion of the one or more rotors, such asone or more gears, one or more projections, one or more flanges, or acombination thereof. The stator and the aperture may be substantiallyconcentric around an axis of the stator. The aperture may be centrallylocated along the stator. The aperture may be fully enclosed by thestator on one or more sides. The aperture may extend through a thicknessof the stator.

The aperture may be connected to a cutout of the stator. The cutout mayfunction to provide a channel between one or more peripheral edges ofthe stator and the aperture. The cutout may be a channel along a portionof the stator. The cutout may have any desired width. The width may bemeasured between opposing interior walls of the cutout. The cutout mayextend between the aperture and an outer surface of the stator. Thecutout may receive a portion of the drive shaft. For example, the driveshaft may extend into the aperture through the cutout so that a portionof the drive shaft may extend out of the casing and drive one or morecomponents of a vehicle. The cutout may be any desired size and shape.The cutout may be U-shaped, V-shaped, C-shaped, D-shaped, O-shaped, or acombination thereof. The cutout may form a channel substantially freefrom any encumbrances. For example, the cutout may be free of anycomponents of the stator, such as one or more windings, one or morecores, or both. Therefore, it is contemplated that the stator may have avoid within the cutout so that the stator may be asymmetrical, yet thestator may still operate without a decrease in performance (e.g.,torque, power, speed, etc.).

The stator may include one or more cores. The cores may function to atleast partially aid in moving one or more rotors. The cores may functionto position one or more windings of the stator. The cores maycommunicate with the one or more rotors to help move the one or morerotors. The cores may be electrically charged to help create a fluxbetween the stator and the one or more rotors. The flux may extendradially relative to the stator or may extend axially relative to thestator. For example, the flux created by a magnetic field between thestator and one or more rotors may extend between a surface of the one ormore rotors and the stator, and the flux may be substantially parallelto an axis of rotation of the one or more rotors. The cores may bepolarized. The cores may have a polarity that opposes a polarity of oneor more portions of a rotor to repulse a portion of the rotor andpromote movement of the rotor. The cores may have a polarity that is thesame as a polarity of one or more portions of a rotor. The stator mayhave a plurality of cores each having a desired polarity. For example,the cores may alternate polarity around a circumference of the stator,may have similar polarities, or a combination thereof. The cores may beunpolarized. For example, the cores may be unpolarized and may only bepolarized based on one or more windings around the cores beingelectrically charged. The cores may extend through a thickness of thestator. The cores may be positioned anywhere along the stator. Thestator may include about 2 or more cores, about 10 or more cores, orabout 20 or more cores. The stator may include about 50 or less cores,about 30 or less cores, or about 25 or less cores. The stator mayinclude a number of cores that is substantially equal to a number ofmagnets in the rotors, less than a number of magnets in the rotors, orgreater than a number of magnets in the rotors.

The cores may be any material that may hold a charge. It is contemplatedthat the cores may be a metallic material that may be electricallyexcited and may be electrically conductive. The cores may be aluminum,steel, brass, copper, iron, nickel, cobalt, magnetite, samarium,neodymium, barium, bismuth, or a combination thereof. The cores may be aferromagnetic material. The cores may be a ferrous material.

The cores may be any size and shape. The cores may be a plug within thestator. The cores may be a rod, pole, cylinder, sphere, or a combinationthereof. The cores may be conical. The cores may include one or moretapered edges. The cores may include one or more smooth surfaces, one ormore abrasive surfaces, or both. The cores may include one or moreflanges, one or more arcuate portions, one or more linear segments, oneor more planar portions, or a combination thereof. The cores may besecured within the stator by one or more fasteners, one or moreadhesives, or a combination thereof. The cores may be secured within thestator using a press-fit condition. The cores may be compressible. Thecores may be rigid.

The cores may be surrounded by a winding. The winding may function tocarry an electrical current. The winding may function to excite thecores and dictate a polarity of the cores. The polarity of the cores maybe dictated by a winding direction. For example, a first core may have afirst polarity based on a clockwise winding direction around the firstcore while a second core may have a second opposing polarity based on acounterclockwise winding direction around the second core. It iscontemplated that the windings around a plurality of cores may becreated by a single wire. For example, the windings around a pluralityof cores may be a single continuous wire that connects the windingsaround each core. Thus, the stator may be substantially simplified toeliminate the need for multiple separate windings. As a result, thestator may not require a specific programming to ensure that eachwinding is electrically charged at a desired time in order to preventcogging and/or stalling of the motor. Therefore, it is contemplated thata single wire may be electrically charged and may not require anystaggering of charges, programming of electrical output, or both. Thewinding may be any electrically conductive material. The windings may becopper, brass, iron, steel, aluminum, bronze, zinc, or a combinationthereof. The windings may be a plurality of separate, interconnectedwindings. For example, the windings may be separate wire segments inelectrical communication with one another.

The winding may be in direct contact with the cores. The windings may befree of direct contact with the cores. The windings may be positionedwithin one or more cavities of the stator. The winding may be secured toone or more outer surfaces of the stator, inner surfaces of the stator,or both. The winding may be free of contact with the one or more rotors.The winding may be positioned so that the winding is free of contactwith any moving components of the motor.

The winding may include any desired number of coils. A coil may be aloop of the winding around the cores. It is contemplated that while thewinding may be a continuous wire, the winding may be at least partiallywrapped around one or more of the cores. The winding may be wrappedaround the one or more cores to include about one or more loops, about50 or more loops, about 250 or more loops, or about 500 or more loops.The winding may be wrapped around the one or more cores to include about1,000 or less loops, about 750 or less loops, or about 600 or lessloops. Each core may include the same number of loops of the winding.The cores may include a different number of loops of the winding. Forexample, a portion of the cores may have about 10 or more loops of thewinding while another portion of the cores may have less than 10 loopsof the winding. As such, the cores may have any number of coils (i.e.,loops) of the winding at least partially encompassing the cores.

The windings may form one or more series within the stator. For example,a first series of cores may be at least partially surrounded by windingsfrom a first wire while a second series of cores may be at leastpartially surrounded by windings from a second wire. The first wire andthe second wire may electrically excite the first series of cores andthe second series of cores, respectively, simultaneously. Alternatively,the first series of cores and the second series of cores may havedifferent excitation timing. For example, both the first series of coresand the second series of cores may initially be simultaneouslyelectrified during a ramp-up period of the motor requiring an increasedpower draw. Once the motor reaches a point beyond the ramp-up period(i.e., when the motor is maintaining a constant power draw foroperation), the first series of cores or the second series of cores maybe deactivated, yet the motor may maintain its power. As such, it iscontemplated that the motor may include any desired number of series andtiming of activation and/or deactivation of each series may be adjustedbased on a desired application.

The windings may communicate with one or more rotors of the motor. Therotors may function to create a torque of the motor. The rotors mayfunction to translate a torque of the motor into mechanical movementalong one or more portions of the motor. The rotors may be incommunication with the stator, the drive shaft, a motor shaft, or acombination thereof. The rotors may move relative to the stator. Forexample, the stator may remain stationary while the rotors rotate aboutan axis of the stator, the rotor, or both. The rotors may be concentric.The rotors and the stator may be concentric. The rotors may rotate in adesired direction around an axis of rotation. The rotors may rotatecounterclockwise around the axis of rotation, clockwise around the axisof rotation, or both. The rotors may be free of contact with the stator.The rotors may be positioned near one or more surfaces of the stator.The rotors may be positioned anywhere relative to the stator. The rotorsmay be positioned to create a desired gap between the rotors and thestator. The gap may be about 0.1 mm or more, about 1 mm or more, about 5mm or more, or about 10 mm or more. The gap may be about 30 mm or less,about 20 mm or less, or about 15 mm or less. It is contemplated that therotors may be positioned substantially close to the stator to minimizepackaging of the motor. The rotors may be a single rotor or may be aplurality of rotors. The motor may include one or more rotors, two ormore rotors, or three or more rotors. The motor may include six or lessrotors, five or less rotors, or four or less rotors. For example, themotor may include a pair of opposing rotors that “sandwich” the statorby being positioned on opposing sides of the stator. The opposing rotorsmay rotate in a same direction or a different direction relative to eachother.

The rotors may include one or more magnets. The magnets may function tocommunicate with the stator to create a magnetic field (and thus a flux)between the rotors and the stator. The magnets may be free of contactwith the stator. The magnets may be polarized so that, when the statoris electrically charged, the magnets are attracted and/or repulsed bythe stator, thereby creating a rotational movement of the rotors. Themagnets may be polarized with any desired polarity. For example, themagnets may have alternating polarity around a circumference of therotors, may have similar polarity, or a combination thereof. The magnetsmay be positioned anywhere along the rotors. The magnets may be securedwithin one or more hollow portions of the rotors. The magnets may besecured to the rotors by one or more fasteners, one or more adhesives,or both. A surface of the magnets may be substantially flush with asurface of the rotors. The rotors may include one or more magnets, fiveor more magnets, or ten or more magnets. The rotors may include 50 orless magnets, 30 or less magnets, or 25 or less magnets. The magnets maybe positioned near a peripheral edge of the rotors. The magnets may beevenly distributed around a circumference of the rotors. The magnets maybe any magnetic material. The magnets may be a ferromagnetic material.The magnets may be iron, neodymium iron boron (NdFeB), samarium cobalt(SmCo), alnico, ceramic, another ferrite magnet, or a combinationthereof.

The rotors may include an aperture. The aperture may function to receiveone or more components of the motor. The aperture may provide asubstantially open space to allow one or more components of the motor tofreely move. For example, a portion of a motor shaft may be positionedwithin the aperture so that the rotors and the stator are substantiallycoaxial. The aperture may receive a portion of a drive shaft so that therotors may mechanically rotate the drive shaft. The aperture may becentrally located along the rotors. The aperture may be fully enclosedby the rotors on one or more sides. The aperture may extend through athickness of the rotors. One or more of the rotors may be free of anaperture. Each rotor may include an aperture. The apertures of eachrotor may be substantially similar or may be nonuniform. The aperturesof the rotors may position the rotors around a motor shaft so that therotors may be free to rotate around the motor shaft.

The aperture may be at least partially surrounded by a recess of therotors. The recess may function to receive one or more componentssecured to the rotors. The recess may secure a ring gear around themotor shaft. The recess may be a notch, step, carved out portion of therotors, or a combination thereof. A surface of the recess may besubstantially parallel to one or more outer surfaces of the rotors. Therecess may be recessed any desired distance from one or more surfaces ofthe rotors. The rotors may include a recess on one or more surfaces. Forexample, opposing surfaces of the rotors may each include a recess sothat the rotors may be used on any desired side of the stator (i.e., therotors may not need to be designated as a left-hand rotor or aright-hand rotor). The recess may entirely surround an aperture of therotors. The recess may extend along a peripheral edge of the aperture.

The recess may receive a ring gear. The ring gear may function tocommunicate with the drive shaft. The ring gear may translate arotational movement of a rotor into rotational movement of the driveshaft. The ring gear may substantially follow a shape of the recess. Thering gear may at least partially surround the aperture of the rotors.The ring gear may project from a surface of the rotors. The ring gearmay include one or more teeth. The ring gears may include any desirednumber of teeth. The teeth may be any desired height, spacing, or both.The ring gear may have any desired size and shape. It is contemplatedthat a diameter of the ring gear may be changed to adjust a torque ofthe motor, a rotational speed (e.g., revolutions-per-minute (RPM)) ofthe motor, or both. Thus, the motor may be customizable to meet thedesired demands of any desired vehicle. For example, a ring gear with alarger diameter may be used for a vehicle requiring lower torque andincreased RPM's. Alternatively, a ring gear with a smaller diameter maybe used for a vehicle requiring higher torque and decreased RPM's. Therecess and/or one or more surfaces of the rotors may include sufficientsurface space so that one or more different ring gears having differentconfigurations may be interchangeable. As such, the ring gears may beremovable from the stator so that the ring gears may be interchangeablefree of damage of the ring gears, the rotors, or both. The ring gearsmay not be positioned within a recess of the rotors. For example, thering gears may be secured to a surface of the rotors and be free ofcontact with a recess.

The ring gear may mechanically rotate the drive shaft. The drive shaftmay function to receive a translated rotational movement from thestators to move one or more vehicles, one or more items, or acombination thereof. The drive shaft may drive a vehicle. The vehiclemay be driven by moving one or more components of the vehicle that inturn move the vehicle. For example, the drive shaft may drive one ormore propellers of a boat to propel the boat through water. The driveshaft may mechanically communicate with the ring gear of a rotor. Thedrive shaft may communicate with the rotors to translate a direction ofrotation of the rotors. For example, the rotors may rotate around afirst axis of rotation, and the movement of the rotors may be translatedto the drive shaft so that the drive shaft may rotate around an axis ofrotation that is substantially orthogonal (i.e., approximately 90degrees) to the axis of rotation of the rotors. The drive shaft maytranslate the rotation of the rotors at an angle other thansubstantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rotors. Theangle of translation may be about 30 degrees or more, about 60 degreesor more, or about 90 degrees or more. The angle of translation may beabout 180 degrees or less, about 150 degrees or less, or about 120degrees or less. The drive shaft may translate all or most of themovement of the rotors. The drive shaft may translate about 100% orless, about 90% or less, or about 80% less of the movement of therotors. The drive shaft may translate about 50% or more, about 60% ormore, or about 70% or more of the movement of the rotors. It iscontemplated that the drive shaft may translate a movement of the rotorsin a highly efficient manner (i.e., about 100% of the movement).

The drive shaft may be positioned anywhere within the motor tocommunicate with the rotors. A plurality of rotors may communicate withthe drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft. For example, opposing rotorspositioned on opposing sides of the drive shaft and the stator mayrotate in opposing directions so that the movement of both rotors workin conjunction with one another to rotate the drive shaft. As such, thedrive shaft may rotate at a higher speed as a result of multiple rotorsacting on the drive shaft. The drive shaft may extend through one ormore portions of the stator. The drive shaft may at least partiallyextend through a cutout of the stator. A portion of the drive shaft maybe positioned within the aperture of the stator to abut ring gears ofthe rotors that may also be positioned at least partially within theaperture of the stator.

A pinion gear of the drive shaft may directly communicate with the ringgears of the rotors. The pinion gear may function to orthogonallytranslate a movement of the rotors to rotate the drive shaft. The piniongear may include a plurality of teeth that intermingle with teeth of thering gears. The pinion gear may be positioned near a terminal end of thedrive shaft. The pinion gear may be positioned within the aperture ofthe stator. The pinion gear may be any desired size and shape tointeract with various ring gear sizes. The pinion gear may becustomizable and/or replaceable. For example, the pinion gear may bethreaded onto an end of the drive shaft so that, when a ring gear isreplaced or changed out for a different sized ring gear, a correspondingpinion gear may also be interchanged. Alternatively, the pinion gear maybe monolithically formed with the drive shaft. The teeth of the ringgears may apply a force to the teeth of the pinon gear to rotate thepinion gear, and thereby rotate the drive shaft. A diameter of thepinion gear may be less than a diameter of the ring gears, may begreater than a diameter of the ring gears, or both. The pinion gear mayhelp rotate the drive shaft so that the drive shaft rotates within abearing block of the motor.

The bearing block may function to secure the drive shaft in a movablemanner so that the drive shaft may freely rotate. The bearing block mayfunction to prevent movement of the drive shaft other than a rotationalmovement of the drive shaft around a longitudinal axis of the driveshaft (i.e., an axis extending through a length of the drive shaft). Thebearing block may allow the drive shaft to rotate substantially free ofany encumbrances, such as frictional forces. The bearing block mayinclude one or more bore holes to receive a portion of the drive shaft.For example, the drive shaft may extend through the bearing block sothat the bearing block supports a portion of the drive shaft. Thebearing block may be positioned anywhere within the motor to secure thedrive shaft in a desired position. The bearing block may be positionedwithin the cutout of the stator. The bearing block may have a heightthat is substantially similar to a width of the cutout so that thebearing block fits with the cutout in a secured manner substantiallyfree of voids and/or crevices between the bearing block and the cutout.The bearing block may be any desired size and shape to support and/orreceive a portion of the drive shaft. For example, the bearing block mayhave a length substantially similar to a length of the cutout of thestator. The bearing block may be coextensive with the cutout. Thebearing block may be recessed from one or more terminal ends of thecutout. The bearing block may be mounted so that the bearing blockremains stationary while the drive shaft rotates. The bearing block maythus prevent vertical movement, lateral movement, movement along an axisof the drive shaft, or a combination thereof of the drive shaft. Thebearing block may be secured within the cutout by one or more fasteners,one or more adhesives, or both. The bearing block may be secured withinthe cutout free of any fasteners, adhesives, or both (i.e., a press-fitcondition). The bearing block may include threading or may be free ofthreading.

The bearing block may contain one or more drive shaft bearings. Thedrive shaft bearings may function to substantially eliminate frictionbetween the drive shaft and the bearing block. The drive shaft bearingsmay function to promote rotational movement of the drive shaft. Thedrive shaft bearings may be positioned anywhere within the bearingblock. The drive shaft bearings may be in direct contact with the driveshaft. The drive shaft bearing may encompass a portion of the driveshaft. The drive shaft bearings may be an axial bearing, a thrustbearing, or a combination thereof. The drive shaft bearings may be aplurality of bearings or may be a single bearing. The drive shaftbearings may be positionally secured within the bearing block. The driveshaft bearings may be entirely contained within the bearing block sothat the bearing block prevents debris, moisture, or both fromcontacting the drive shaft bearings. The drive shaft bearings mayinclude one or more lubricants to promote movement of the drive shaftbearings, rotation of the drive shaft, or both. The drive shaft bearingsmay allow axial movement of the drive shaft so that the drive shaft maybe easily inserted and/or removed from the bearing block.

The drive shaft may be positionally secured within the bearing block byone or more locking collars. The locking collars may function to lockthe drive shaft axially in place. The locking collars may prevent axialmovement, vertical movement, lateral movement, or a combination thereofof the drive shaft while allowing the drive shaft to rotate about anaxis of rotation. The locking collars may include a hole so that thedrive shaft extends through the locking collars. The locking collars mayinclude one or more holes. The one or more holes may receive one or morefasteners (e.g., a pin, screw, bolt, or a combination thereof) to securethe locking collar in place. The locking collars may rotatesimultaneously with the drive shaft. Alternatively, the locking collarsmay remain stationary while the drive shaft rotates. The locking collarsmay be positioned within the bearing block, may be located outside ofthe bearing block, or both. The locking collars may be positioned withinthe casing, outside the casing, or both. The locking collars may be asingle locking collar or a plurality of locking collars. For example, apair of locking collars may be positioned on opposing ends of thebearing block to secure the drive shaft in place.

The motor may include a motor shaft. The motor shaft may function toalign the stator and the rotors. The motor shaft may secure the rotors,the stator, or both within the casing. The motor shaft may extendthrough an aperture of the stator, an aperture of the rotors, or both.The rotors may rotate about an axis of the motor shaft. The motor shaftmay have a diameter substantially similar to a diameter of the apertureof the stator, the aperture of the rotors, or both. The motor shaft mayhave a diameter less than a diameter of the aperture of the stator, theaperture of the rotors, or both. The motor shaft may extendsubstantially perpendicular to the drive shaft. The motor shaft mayextend substantially parallel to the drive shaft. The motor shaft andthe drive shaft may form any desired angle.

The motor shaft may include a motor shaft bearing. The motor shaftbearing may function to allow the rotors to rotate around the motorshaft. The motor shaft bearing may function to allow movement of themotor shaft. The motor shaft bearing may be an axial bearing, a thrustbearing, or both. The motor shaft bearing may be positioned around anouter surface of the motor shaft. The motor shaft bearing may bepositioned within an aperture of the rotors, an aperture of the stator,or both. The motor shaft bearing may be a plurality of bearings. Forexample, each rotor may include a motor shaft bearing positioned withinan aperture to communicate with the motor shaft so that the rotors mayfreely rotate relative to the motor shaft.

One or more spacers may be positioned along the motor shaft. The spacersmay function to position the rotors relative to each other, the stator,or both. The spacers may be substantially ring-shaped. The spacers maybe at least partially positioned within apertures of the rotors, anaperture of the stator, or both. The spacers may include one or moreflanges. The spacers may be any desired size and shape to create adesired spacing between the rotors and the stator. The spacers may becompressible or may be structurally rigid. The spacers may maintain aposition of the one or more motor shaft bearings along the motor shaft.

The spacers, the motor shaft bearings, or both may abut one or morewashers. The washers may function to fill a gap between the spacers andthe motor shaft bearings. The washers may function to maintain aposition of the spacers along the motor shaft. The washers may functionto maintain a position of the motor shaft bearings along the motorshaft. The washers may be a ring washer. The washers may be any desiredsize and shape. The washers may have any desired thickness. The washermay abut a portion of the casing. For example, the washers may abut aninner surface of the case disks to create a tight fit within the casing.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of amotor 20. The motor 20 includes a casing 22. The casing 22 includes acase ring 26 and two opposing case disks 24 secured to opposing ends ofthe case ring 26. A drive shaft 48 extends out of a drive shaft hole 68of the case ring 26 and is configured to rotate based on articulation ofthe motor 20 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The drive shaft 48 is surrounded by aseal 32 secured to the case ring 26 to prevent moisture, debris, or bothfrom entering the casing 22. The seal 32 may also prevent lubricant,moisture, or both from exiting the casing 22.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a motor 20. The motor 20 includes acasing 22. The casing 22 includes a case ring 26 and two opposing casedisks 24 secured to opposing ends of the case ring 26. A drive shaft 48extends out of a drive shaft hole 68 of the case ring 26 and isconfigured to rotate based on articulation of the motor 20 (see FIGS. 3and 4). The drive shaft 48 is surrounded by a seal 32 secured to thecase ring 26 to prevent moisture, debris, or both from entering thecasing 22. The seal 32 may also prevent lubricant from exiting thecasing 22.

FIG. 3 is cross-section 3-3 of the motor 20 of FIG. 1. The motor 20includes a casing 22. The casing 22 includes a case ring 26 and twoopposing case disks 24 secured to opposing ends of the case ring 26. Adrive shaft 48 extends out of a drive shaft hole 68 of the case ring 26and is surrounded by a seal 32 secured to the case ring 26 to preventmoisture, debris, or both from entering the casing 22. While a singledrive shaft 48 is shown, it is envisioned that the motor 20 may also beconfigured to have a pair (or more) drive shafts 48 extending out of thecasing 22, thereby facilitating the motor 20 driving one or more eternalcomponents, such as rotors of a boat. The seal 32 may also preventlubricant, moisture, or both from exiting the casing 22. The drive shaft48 extends through a bearing block 50 secured within a cutout of astator 30. The motor 20 further includes rotors 28 on opposing sides ofthe stator 30 that may rotate in opposing directions (D₁ and D₂,respectively) around a motor shaft 56 via a plurality of motor shaftbearings 60 spaced apart by washers 62 and a spacer 58. The rotors 28rotate so that ring gears 40 on the rotors 28 engage a pinion gear 66 ofthe drive shaft 48 and translate a rotational movement of the rotors 28substantially orthogonally to rotate the drive shaft 48 in a rotationaldirection (R₁). It is contemplated that the rotors 28 and the driveshaft 48 may also be rotated in an opposite direction as the oneillustrated. The drive shaft 48 may be configured to rotate within thebearing block 50 by a plurality of drive shaft bearings 54 securedaround the drive shaft 48 by a plurality of locking collars 52. Thedrive shaft bearings 54 may include axial bearings 54A, thrust bearings54B, or both.

FIG. 4 is cross-section 4-4 of the motor 20 of FIG. 2. The motor 20includes a casing 22. The casing 22 includes a case ring 26 and twoopposing case disks secured to opposing ends of the case ring 26 (seeFIG. 2). A drive shaft 48 extends out of a drive shaft hole 68 of thecase ring 26 and is surrounded by a seal 32 secured to the case ring 26to prevent moisture, debris, or both from entering the casing 22. Theseal 32 may also prevent lubricant, moisture, or both from exiting thecasing 22. The drive shaft 48 extends through a bearing block 50 securedwithin a cutout 70 of a stator 30. The stator 30 includes a plurality ofcores 36 surrounded by windings 38 distributed around a periphery of thestator 30. A pair of rotors (not shown) located on opposing sides of thestator 30 rotate about a motor shaft 56 via a plurality of motor shaftbearings (not shown) spaced apart by a spacer 58 located within anaperture 46 of the stator 30. The rotors may rotate based on electricalexcitation of the windings 38 so that ring gears 40 of the rotors engagea pinion gear 66 of the drive shaft 48 and translate a rotationalmovement of the rotors substantially orthogonally to rotate the driveshaft 48. The drive shaft 48 may be configured to rotate within thebearing block 50 by a plurality of drive shaft bearings 54 securedaround the drive shaft 48 by a plurality of locking collars 52. Thedrive shaft bearings 54 may include axial bearings 54A, thrust bearings54B, or both.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a motor 20. The motor 20 includesa casing 22. The casing 22 includes a case ring 26 and two opposing casedisks 24 secured to opposing ends of the case ring 26 by a plurality offasteners 42 that extend through the case disks 24 and into mountingholes 44 of the case ring 26. A stator 30 is secured within the casing22 by a plurality of fasteners 42 that extend through through-holes 74of the case ring 26 and into the stator 30. A pair of rotors 28 arepositioned near opposing sides of the stator 30. Each rotor 28 includesa plurality of magnets 34 and a ring gear (not shown) positioned withina recess 72 of the rotor 28. As illustrated, the rotors 28 may include arecess 72 on one or both faces. For example, the rotors 28 may include arecess 72 on a side that abuts the stator 30, an opposing side of therotors 28, or both. It is contemplated that the recesses 72 of therotors 28 may receive one or more bearings, a ring gear, or both. Therotors 28 may rotate in opposing directions around a motor shaftextending through apertures 46 of the stator 30 and the rotors 28. Therotors 28 rotate so that the ring gears engage a pinion gear 66 of adrive shaft 48 and translate a rotational movement of the rotors 28substantially orthogonally to rotate the drive shaft 48. The rotors 28may rotate based on electrical excitation of windings 38 of the stator30 that coil around a plurality of cores 36. It should be noted that thewindings 38 may be a continuous winding 38 that extends around theplurality of cores 36 (see FIG. 10). The drive shaft 48 may beconfigured to rotate within a bearing block 50 by a plurality of driveshaft bearings 54 secured around the drive shaft 58 by a plurality oflocking collars 52. The drive shaft bearings 54 may include axialbearings 54A, thrust bearings 54B, or both.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a rotor 28. The rotor 28 includes aplurality of magnets 34 positioned around a periphery of the rotor 28.The rotor 28 further includes a ring gear 40 positioned within a recess72 of the rotor 28, whereby the ring gear 40 substantially surrounds anaperture 46 of the rotor 28.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a stator 30. The stator 30 includes aplurality of cores 36 surrounded by windings 38 positioned around aperiphery of the stator 30. It should be noted that the windings 38 maybe a continuous winding 38 that extends around the plurality of cores 36(see FIG. 10). A drive shaft 48 of the motor extends into a cutout 70 ofthe stator 30 and is secured within the cutout 70 by a bearing block 50.A pinion gear 66 of the drive shaft 48 is positioned within an aperture46 of the stator 30 to engage one or more ring gears of one or morerotors (see FIGS. 1-6). As illustrated, the stator 30 may be securedwithin a casing (not shown) by a plurality of fasteners 42 that extendthrough the casing and into the stator 30.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate exemplary arrangements of a plurality of rotors28 relative to a stator 30 of a motor. For clarity, the structure of therotors 28 and the stator 30 have been omitted. As illustrated, therotors include a plurality of magnets 34 having alternating polarity(i.e., N or S). The stator 30 includes a plurality of cores 36 surroundby windings 38, whereby a polarity of each core 36 is determined by adirection of the windings 38 around each core 36 (see FIG. 10). Itshould be noted that the windings 38 may be a continuous winding 38 thatextends around the plurality of cores 36 (see FIG. 10). As shown, whenthe windings 38 are electrically charged, the rotors 28 move in opposingdirections (D₁ and D₂) based on an axial flux created between the stator30 and the rotors 28 so that the rotors drive a drive shaft of the motor(see FIGS. 3 and 4).

FIG. 10 illustrates a winding arrangement of a stator of a motor. Thestructure of the stator has been omitted for clarity. The statorincludes a plurality of cores 36 having alternating polarity (i.e., N orS). A continuous winding 38 is wrapped around each of the cores 36. Thepolarity of the winding 38 around each of the plurality of cores 36 isdictated by wrapping the winding 38 in a clockwise direction or acounterclockwise direction.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of a motor 20. The motor 20 mayoperate similar to the motor shown in FIG. 5. However, the motor mayinclude a pair of rotors 28 and a pair of stators 30 instead of a dualrotor 28, single stator 30 configuration. Thus, it may be gleaned fromthe present teachings that the motor 20 as described herein maybeneficially allow for multiple configurations to tune the motor 20based on a desired application. For example, a dual rotor 28, dualstator 30 configuration may beneficially increase output along the driveshaft 48 to operate an external component, such as a rotor of a boat.

As shown in FIG. 11, the motor 20 includes opposing portions of a casing22 that form a clamshell-like housing around the motor 20. The motor 20includes a pair of rotors 28 positioned on opposing sides of the driveshaft 48. The rotors 28 may each include a plurality of windings 38around associated cores 36 as described above that, once electricallyexcited, may interact with adjacent rotors 28. For example, a pair ofrotors 28 may abut the stators 30 so that magnets 34 located along therotors 28 interact with the electrified windings 38 and cores 36 to movethe rotors 28. The stators 30 may also be secured to each other via aplate 76 positioned between the stators 30. The plate 76 may besubstantially non-magnetic and/or have low magnetic permeability so asto not interfere with the magnetic fields created by the stators 30. Theplate 76 may be secured to the stators 30 via one or more fasteners, oneor more adhesives, a mechanical interlock, or a combination thereof (notshown).

It is envisioned that the rotors 28 are rotated in opposing directionsto drive the motor shaft 48. For example, a first rotor 28 may rotate ina clockwise direction while a second rotor 28 may rotate in acounterclockwise direction, or vice versa so that rotor pinion gears 66Akeyed into apertures 46 of the rotors 28 engages a drive shaft piniongear 66A, thereby rotating the drive shaft 48 (see, e.g., FIG. 3). Therotation of the rotors 28 and/or positioning of the rotors 28 relativeto the stators 30 may be faciliated by thrust bearings 54B and radialbearing 54C positioned between the rotors 28 and the stators 30.Additionally, to drive an external device, the drive shaft 48 may extendthrough cutouts 70 along the stators 30 and out of a drive shaft hole 68formed between the pieces of the casing 22. However, it should be notedthat the drive shaft 48 may extend in any manner outside of the casing22 to engage an external device.

FIG. 12A and 12B illustrate exemplary cross-sections similar to themotor 20 shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 12A, the motor 20 mayinclude stators 30 positioned on opposing sides of a drive shaft 48extending from a central portion of the motor 20 through an exteriorcasing 22. A pair of rotors 28 abut the stators 30 and communicate withthe stators in a substantially contactless manner (see FIG. 11) to movethe rotors 28 in opposing rotational directions (D₁, D₂) to drive thedrive shaft 48. However, it is also envisioned that the motor 20 may beconfigured to allow the rotors 28 to rotate in the same rotationaldirection to drive the drive shaft 48. The rotation of the rotors 28and/or positioning of the rotors 28 relative to the stators 30 may befacilitated by thrust bearings 54B and radial bearing 54C positionedbetween the rotors 28 and the stators 30.

Each rotor 28 may include a rotor pinion gear 66A keyed within anaperture of the rotors 28 so that rotation of the rotors 28 also rotatesthe rotor pinion gears 66A. As the rotor pinion gears 66A rotate theyengage a drive shaft pinion gear 66B, thereby rotating the drive shaft48 in direction (R₁).

FIG. 12B illustrates a motor 20 similar to the motor 20 shown in FIG.12A except for the motor 20 having a pair of drive shafts 48 extendingin opposing directions through the casing 22. As discussed above, therotors 28 may rotate in opposing directions (D₁, D₂), thereby engaging apair of drive shaft pinion gears 66B connected to each of the driveshafts 48. Thus, as the rotors 28 rotate, each of the drive shafts 48 isalso rotated in a rotation direction (R₁, R₂). The rotational directions(Ri, R2) may be in opposing rotational directions (i.e., a first driveshaft 48 rotates clockwise while a second drive shaft 48 rotatescounterclockwise). As such, the rotors 28 may beneficially translate arotational movement from the rotors 28 substantially orthogonally into arotational movement of the drive shafts 48.

ELEMENT LIST

-   -   20 Motor    -   22 Casing    -   24 Case Disk    -   26 Case Ring    -   28 Rotor    -   30 Stator    -   32 Seal    -   34 Magnet    -   36 Core    -   38 Winding    -   40 Ring Gear    -   42 Fastener    -   44 Mounting Hole    -   46 Aperture    -   48 Drive Shaft    -   50 Bearing Block    -   52 Locking Collar    -   54 Drive Shaft Bearing    -   54A Axial Bearing    -   54B Thrust Bearing    -   54C Radial Bearing    -   56 Motor Shaft    -   58 Spacer    -   60 Motor Shaft Bearing    -   62 Washer    -   66 Pinion Gear    -   66A Rotor Pinion Gear    -   66B Drive Shaft Pinion Gear    -   68 Drive Shaft Hole    -   70 Cutout    -   72 Recess    -   74 Through-Hole    -   76 Plate    -   D₁ Direction of Rotation of the Rotor    -   D₂ Direction of Rotation of the Rotor    -   R₁ Direction of Rotation of the Drive Shaft    -   R₂ Direction of Rotation of the Drive Shaft

Any numerical values recited herein include all values from the lowervalue to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that thereis a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and anyhigher value. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of acomponent or a value of a process variable such as, for example,temperature, pressure, time and the like is, for example, from 1 to 90,preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intendedthat values such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc. areexpressly enumerated in this specification. For values which are lessthan one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 asappropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intendedand all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowestvalue and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to beexpressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and allnumbers between the endpoints. The use of “about” or “approximately” inconnection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, “about20 to 30” is intended to cover “about 20 to about 30”, inclusive of atleast the specified endpoints.

The disclosures of all articles and references, including patentapplications and publications, are incorporated by reference for allpurposes. The term “consisting essentially of” to describe a combinationshall include the elements, ingredients, components or steps identified,and such other elements, ingredients, components or steps that do notmaterially affect the basic and novel characteristics of thecombination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” todescribe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or stepsherein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of theelements, ingredients, components or steps. By use of the term “may”herein, it is intended that any described attributes that “may” beincluded are optional.

Unless otherwise stated, a teaching with the term “about” or“approximately” in combination with a numerical amount encompasses ateaching of the recited amount, as well as approximations of thatrecited amount. By way of example, a teaching of “about 100” encompassesa teaching of 100+/−15.

Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided by asingle integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively,a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step might bedivided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps.The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element, ingredient,component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements,ingredients, components or steps.

It is understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments as well as manyapplications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those ofskill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of theteachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to theabove description, but should instead be determined with reference tothe appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to whichsuch claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles andreferences, including patent applications and publications, areincorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in thefollowing claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosedherein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it beregarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to bepart of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

We claim: 1: A motor comprising: (a) a stator having a plurality offerrous cores surrounded by a plurality of windings; (b) a pair ofrotors positioned on opposing sides of the stator, each rotor includinga ring gear; and (c) a drive shaft extending through a cutout of thestator, the drive shaft having a pinion gear positioned near an end ofthe drive shaft in communication with the ring gears of the rotors;wherein the rotors rotate in opposing directions so that the ring gearstranslate a movement of the rotors to the drive shaft through the piniongear to rotate the drive shaft in a direction substantially orthogonalto a direction of rotation of the rotors. 2: The motor of claim 1,wherein the plurality of ferrous cores are positioned along a peripheryof the stator and the plurality of windings determine a polarity of eachferrous core the plurality of windings is wound upon. 3: The motor ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of windings is a continuous line thatwraps around all of the plurality of ferrous cores. 4: The motor ofclaim 1, wherein the pair of rotors each include a plurality of magnetsso that, when electricity flows through the plurality of windings, anaxial flux extending between the pair of rotors and the stator initiatesrotation of the pair of rotors. 5: The motor of claim 1, wherein thering gears are positioned within a recess of each of the rotors andsurround an aperture of the rotor. 6: The motor of claim 1, wherein thedrive shaft extends through a cutout of the stator so that the piniongear is positioned within an aperture of the stator to communicate withthe ring gears of the rotors. 7: The motor of claim 6, wherein the driveshaft is secured within the cutout by a bearing block, and the driveshaft rotates within the bearing block by a plurality of bearingssecured around the drive shaft and secured by a plurality of lockingcollars. 8: The motor of claim 1, wherein the stator and the pair ofrotors are housed within a casing, and the drive shaft extends through ahole of the casing to communicate with the stator and the pair ofrotors. 9: The motor of claim 8, wherein a seal surrounds the driveshaft extending through the casing to prevent moisture, debris, or bothfrom entering the casing, oil from exiting the casing, or a combinationthereof. 10: The motor of claim 1, wherein the pair of rotors rotateabout a motor shaft extending through apertures of the pair of rotorsand the stator. 11: The motor of claim 10, wherein the pair of rotorsrotate about the motor shaft via a plurality of bearings spaced apart byone or more washers, a spacer, or both. 12: The motor of claim 8,wherein the casing is disk-shaped. 13: The motor of claim 1, wherein themotor is a boat motor. 14: The motor of claim 1, wherein the ring gearsof the rotors sandwich the pinion gear of the drive shaft. 15: The motorof claim 1, wherein the motor is configured to fully operate when fullysubmerged in water. 16: The motor of claim 1, wherein the stator remainsstationary during operation of the motor. 17: The motor of claim 6,wherein the ring gears extend into the aperture of the stator to engagethe pinion gear so that the pair of rotors and the stator aresubstantially coaxial. 18: The motor of claim 4, wherein the magnets ofeach rotor alternate in polarity. 19: The motor of claim 8, wherein thestator is secured to a casing ring of the casing by a plurality offasteners extending through through-holes of the casing ring into thestator. 20: The motor of claim 2, wherein the polarity of the pluralityof windings around each core is dictated by winding each of theplurality of windings in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction.